“Tools make us more efficient … Strategies make us more effective … Habits make us more consistent.” (Morelan, 2017)
Food for Thought …
Posted on April 2, 2019 Written by
Dish Soap and Collaboration?
Posted on August 18, 2026 Written by
Sinner’s Circle (1959) is a chemistry concept showing that cleaners (such as dish soap) work much better when four interdependent factors maintain a balance. And by adjusting any one of the components in this closed loop system, you can compensate for a deficit in another.
Natalie Nixon (CEO of Figure 8 Thinking) has applied this concept to collaboration. In this article, she discusses the key collaborative components of asking generative questions, pursuing high-stakes outcomes, navigating the friction of give-and-take, and exercising patience and persistence.
BTW, regarding the latter, she reminds us that a leader who calls collaboration a failure “after one difficult meeting” is like a cook who pulls the pan from the fire before the heat has had a chance to work. A collaborative team takes work and it doesn’t happen overnight. But the eventual results are well worth the effort!
Six Steps to Limit Negativity
Posted on August 4, 2026 Written by
Negative emotions can quickly spread across your team, dampening or even destroying morale. Therefore, it's vital that principals remain alert for signs of anger, frustration, or similar negative moods among their staff. Liann Davey is … [Continue reading]
Less is More
Posted on July 22, 2026 Written by
When words matter, use as few as possible and choose them wisely. Clear concise communication should always be your goal. As this article by award-winning author, Larry Robinson, explains this approach can help your team (and your stakeholders) … [Continue reading]
The Importance of “Student Voice”
Posted on June 23, 2026 Written by
Student input can be vital when making decisions about improving school culture and academic achievement. Careful consideration of their ideas can often make the difference between success and failure when introducing a new initiative. In this … [Continue reading]